The Ahuizotl is a legendary water creature from Aztec mythology that resembles a water opossum with spiny features. It is notorious for luring unsuspecting victims to their deaths in murky freshwater environments. Associated with rain gods, the creature embodies the peril and mystique of water in Aztec culture.

Ahuizotl (mythology)

The Alicante is a mythical Mexican snake known for its venomous bite and cultural significance.

Alicante (mythology)

Atlahua is an Aztec water deity revered as a fisherman and archer, known as the blue version of Tlaloc. He is strongly associated with aquatic realms and was honored in grand water temples across ancient Aztec lands. His influence was particularly invoked during tragic water-related events, underscoring his vital role in the Aztec spiritual landscape.

Atlahua

The Centzon Tōtōchtin are a collective of divine rabbits from Mexica mythology known for their extravagant, drunken revelries. Born of the deities Patecatl and Mayahuel, they are venerated as symbols of festive mirth. Their name, meaning 'four-hundred rabbits,' underscores the vast number of deities in this unique pantheon.

Centzon Tōtōchtin

Chalchiuhtlicue is the Aztec goddess of water, overseeing rivers, seas, streams, and storms. As a patroness of childbirth and fertility, she plays a crucial role in the sustenance and renewal of life. Her divine authority in water and fertility rendered her highly revered in the Postclassic Aztec realm.

Chalchiuhtlicue

Chaneques are small, sprite-like beings in Mexican folklore that serve as both guardians of nature and mischievous tricksters. They inhabit dangerous, wild areas and are known for leading intruders astray, often causing memory lapses and spiritual dislocation. Their portrayal is ambiguous, oscillating between protective and malevolent characteristics as a reflection of blended indigenous and colonial narratives.

Chaneque

Cihuatecayotl is the West Wind god of Aztec mythology. He governs the winds sweeping across the western skies. His presence is integral to the balance of natural forces in Aztec cosmology.

Cihuatecayotl

The Cihuateteo are the spirits of women who died in childbirth in Aztec mythology. They are revered and feared, embodying a duality of sacrifice and battle. Associated with the western horizon, they symbolize both the end of life and the promise of transformation.

Cihuateteo

Cipactli is a primeval, monstrous sea creature from Aztec mythology, known for its composite body and extra mouths at every joint. Its body was sacrificed by deities to form the earth, symbolizing the chaotic origins of creation. This voracious beast embodies both destructive power and the potential for creation.

Cipactli

Coatlicue is the Aztec goddess known as the 'skirt of snakes.' She is revered as the mother of the gods and creator of the moon, stars, and the god of sun and war. Her iconic image, adorned with serpents, reflects the dual nature of creation and destruction in Aztec cosmology.

Cōātlīcue

The Double-headed serpent is an Aztec mosaic sculpture depicting a snake with two distinct heads. Crafted predominantly from turquoise with accents of spiny oyster shell and conch shell, the piece showcases exquisite Aztec artistry. Originally used in religious ceremonies, this emblematic artifact, also known as 'Mansee', is now housed in the British Museum.

Double-headed serpent

El Sombrerón is a legendary figure from Guatemalan folklore, known for his distinct appearance and mysterious nocturnal activities. He is depicted as a short man wearing a large black hat, a black dress, and noisy boots, and is famed for his habit of braiding the hair of horses, dogs, and young women. With his silver guitar and cursed serenades, he embodies both charm and menace in local myth.

El Sombrerón

The Feathered Serpent is a prominent Mesoamerican deity known for its dual nature. It combines the divine aspect of flight with the earthly qualities of a serpent. Revered under various names, it symbolizes the connection between the heavens and the earth.

Feathered Serpent

Huitztlampaehecatl is an Aztec deity who personifies the South wind. He is one of a quartet of wind gods, with his brothers representing the other cardinal directions. He embodies the dynamic and vital force of the southern breezes in Aztec mythology.

Huitztlampaehecatl

Ātzpāpālōtl, also known as the Obsidian Butterfly, is an Aztec death goddess depicted as a striking skeletal warrior with butterfly features. She rules over the paradise realm of Tamōhuānchān, a unique afterlife for victims of infant mortality and the site of human creation. As queen of the Tzitzimimeh and mother of Mixcoatl, she embodies the complex interplay of death, creation, and transformation.

Ītzpāpālōtl

Itztlacoliuhqui is the Aztec god of frost, embodying the cold and lifeless state of matter. He is symbolised by a curved obsidian blade and a straw broom, representing his role in clearing decay for new life. His myth involves a transformative moment where the god of dawn becomes enshrouded in cold, cementing his place in Aztec cosmology.

Itztlacoliuhqui

La Llorona is a notorious vengeful ghost from Mexican folklore. She is depicted as a weeping woman who roams near bodies of water, mourning the loss of her children. Her mournful cry is believed to bring misfortune and even death to those who hear it.

La Llorona

Malinalxochitl is an Aztec goddess and sorceress known as the 'Snake Woman', revered for her command over snakes, scorpions, and desert insects. Abandoned during the Mexica migration by her brother Huitzilopochtli, her myth is intertwined with themes of betrayal and mystical power. She is also remembered for her potent spell-casting abilities and her enduring role in Aztec lore.

Malinalxochitl

Metztli is a lunar deity from Aztec mythology, revered as the god or goddess of the moon, night, and agricultural fertility. The deity’s ambiguous gender underscores a divine nature that transcends binary classifications. Through control of lunar cycles, Metztli is central to the rhythm of night and farming practices.

Metztli

Mictēcacihuātl, also known as the Lady of the Dead, is a central death deity in Aztec mythology. She oversees the bones of the dead and is intricately linked to ancient and modern festivals honoring death. Her flayed body and agape jaw, said to swallow the stars, symbolize her power over the afterlife.

Aztec Creatures